New Mexico House of Representatives

Cannabis is the topic. As part of the continuing coverage from Your New Mexico Government it is time for an update on the legislative session at the Roundhouse. To discover more about the Cannabis legislation under debate at the state Capital, KUNM's Khalil Ekulona sat down with Juile Ann Grimm, editor for The Santa Fe Reporter.

Coronavirus has infiltrated the Roundhouse, where New Mexico’s legislators are in the early weeks of a 60-day session. Since mid-January when the session began, at least three people in the capital have tested positive for the virus, including one GOP lawmaker. On Friday, Democratic House Speaker Brian Egolf announced new rules, restricting participation in committee meetings to Zoom, and closing the House floor to most lawmakers. KUNM spoke with Matt Grubs from New Mexico PBS.

State representatives recently OK'd a budget that would give state workers a raise, the first since 2014.

Governor Susana Martinez proposed a 1 percent pay raise for state workers in January – but the House budget would make it 2 percent.

Democrats took back control of the New Mexico House of Representatives in Tuesday election. But some Republican representatives were able to hold on to their seats.

Sarah Maestas Barnes of northeast Albuquerque was one of a handful of state representatives who withstood Democrats’ efforts.

The national elections have been especially polarizing, but Maestas Barnes said Republicans and Democrats in New Mexico are going to have to avoid the sharp partisanship that dominated the national elections.